Molecular identification of Korean ginseng by amplification refractory mutation system-PCR

Expensive herbs like ginseng are always a possible target for fraudulent labeling. Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng) is among the most popular and expensive plant species in many countries, including China, Japan, Korea, Russia, Canada, and the USA. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) has proven an appropriate method for the identification of the most popular species (P. ginseng) in the Panax ginseng genus (Panax). A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) has been identified between P. ginseng and other Panax species. Specific PCR primers were designed from this SNP site within the sequence data, and were used to detect Korean ginseng (P. ginseng) via multiplex PCR. The established multiplex-PCR method for the simultaneous detection of Korean ginseng and foreign ginseng in a single reaction was determined to be effective. The described method has important implications in both the production and sale of commercial ginseng products, allowing for the prevention of fraud, and also revealing the possible presence of other, cheaper ginseng species.